Diego Costa playing hardball with Chelsea to guarantee his preferred transfer
By George Perry
Diego Costa wasted no time after the FA Cup final to state publicly his transfer demands. He is suddenly adamant about staying at Chelsea and absolutely not going to China.
Well this was unexpected. No, not Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal, although we were looking forward to Antonio Conte hoisting the FA Cup. After the match, Diego Costa continued his mercurial ways by stating quite unequivocally that he has no intension to leave Chelsea. If Chelsea wish to sell him, the onus is all on the club and they better not misstep. He has a contract with Chelsea, and he plans on sticking to it.
So much for that £70 million windfall by selling him to Tianjian Quanjian. So much for his long-awaited reunion with Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. And so much for the hope that the Blues would end their toxic relationship with Costa and bring in someone more reliable, both in attitude and performance.
"I know Chelsea wants to sell players, but I told them, I have two years left in my contract and I won’t go somewhere else just because they want so. I will only sign for another club in Europe, they know that. Otherwise I’ll stay with my current contract. – Goal.com"
Costa left open the door that he could return to Atletico, but only if Antonio Conte sidelines him in favour of other strikers. In that case, he would leave “but only to where I’m willing to. Everyone knows what my preferred club is.”
Whether he is referring to Chelsea or Atletico is anyone’s guess.
Tianjin Quanjian’s interest in Diego Costa cooled recently. They balked at paying the transfer fee they themselves proffered earlier in the season. Other Chinese Super League clubs are also pulling back from the exorbitant transfer fees that defined that league’s rise.
Related Story: Atletico Madrid keep Diego Costa interest alive as Tianjin Quanjian gets cagey
Also in the previous week, Antoine Griezmann backed away from his earlier statements rating his chances of a move to Manchester United. Even though United secured a Champions League berth, Griezmann could understandably not wish to enmesh himself in Jose Mourinho’s crippling dramas or stifling tactics.
Diego Costa, realizing he is no longer on the verge of becoming one of the world’s highest-paid players, now sees that he has to return to Chelsea’s good graces. He was among Chelsea’s top players in the FA Cup final. After his goal he kissed (and bit) the Chelsea badge. It was a strange gesture at the time, given his saga this season. But now it seems as choreographed as John Terry’s guard of honour.
Likewise, he may think that he needs to convince Atletico that they have no competition for his signature. They should simply tender an offer Chelsea would not refuse. However, they can only do that if they have Manchester United’s money to spend.
Despite whatever good Diego Costa did this season, Chelsea simply cannot afford to keep him around. Antonio Conte may have thought he reformed Diego Costa by the end of 2016. After the initial China rumours broke, though, he became ill-disciplined, unproductive and a liability. He made himself as unreliable as a striker as he was as a teammate.
Chelsea particularly cannot allow him to block the path of another striker. Chelsea are pursuing Romelu Lukaku, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata. Any of those three – especially the latter two – would increase Chelsea’s success in the Champions League. While Chelsea have funds from selling Oscar, the presumed Costa transfer would ensure a top striker’s arrival.
Next: Chelsea player ratings in FA Cup final: Who came to play?
Costa’s statement may be a half strong-arm negotiating tactic and half apology tour. He may believe that if he makes a high demand regarding a transfer while endearing himself to the club, he can ensure a favourable – if not ideal – destination. His newfound affinity for the Blues notwithstanding, though, he may have burned one bridge too many.